Please join us online
ICUJP Friday Forum
Jan. 9th 7:30-9:30 am Pacific
Let Cuba Compete in the 2028 Olympics - Demand US Grant Visas to Cuban Athletes!
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Event Description:
The current administration has refused to grant visas to any of the more than 100 Cuban athletes who have applied to participate in qualifying games that are a prerequisite for them to compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics games.
This is not only a violation of the rules of the International Olympic Committee, but also an attack on the right of U.S. sports fans to enjoy the high level of competition that Cuban teams have always delivered to the games.
Join the conversation with our speakers:
Mark Friedman is a co-coordinator of the Los Angeles US Hands off Cuba Committee, as well as a veteran trade union activist of the International Association of Machinists and the California Teachers Association unions. As a former marine science teacher in an inner-city LA high school he developed a program to hook inner-city Black and Latinx youth in science through unique Marine biology courses and club.
Destiny Rivera is a grassroots organizer and artivist from the City of Pomona, California. A proud daughter of Mexican immigrant and first-generation parents. She began organizing in her home city at 17 years old, advocating for immigrant families and vulnerable youth in her community.
Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:
Email or write IOC President Ms. Kirsty Coventry; and Los Angeles Olympics 2028 CEO, Gene Sykes Call (719-632-5551) and/or email ([email protected]) and/or send a letter (1 Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909.) (Sample message): I urge you to uphold the inclusive and unifying objectives and charter of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and defend the right of Cuban athletes to participate in the qualifying and 2028 Olympic and Para-Olympic games by demanding that the U.S. government grant visas to Cuban athletes immediately. |
7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize
7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions
7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)
7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A
9:15 - 9:20 Announcements
9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer
Start your morning with us!
Facilitator: Steve Rohde
Reflector: Jon Krampner
** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. **
Here's how to join the online meeting:
To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.
If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward.
If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.
ICUJP Friday Forum 01/09/26
Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:
To mute/unmute yourself: *6
To raise hand: *9
(To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.)
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Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.
Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace recognizes the Gabrieliño Tongva as the past, present, and future caretakers of the land, water, and cultural resources in the unceded territory of Los Angeles.
THIS SUNDAY!
Join us for our annual Close Guantanamo NOW Vigil - fighting 24 years of injustice
Join us in-person:
Sunday, January 11th, 2026
Wilshire/Westwood Federal Building,
11000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
12:00 - 1:30 pm Pacific Time
RSVP HERE!
Speakers:
-- Khalid Hudson, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
-- Michael Rapkin, Guantanamo Bar
-- Rebecca Husaini, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
-- Jim Lafferty, National Lawyers Guild
-- Louis Watanabe, Manzanar Committee
-- Rachel Brunke, Code Pink
-- Shane Que Hee, Out Against War.
more speakers to be announced!
Emergency Teach-in and Protest
US Hands Off Venezuela & Cuba:
No Blood for Oil
FRIDAY, January 9th
6pm (refreshments). 7pm program
Machinists Union Hall, 1261 Avalon Blvd. Wilmington, CA 90744
The U.S. military assault on Venezuela by 150 military aircraft, killing 80+ (including 32 Cubans), is an illegal action, not against “narco-terrorism”—but a blatant violation of international law & Venezuelan sovereignty. Trump wants Venezuelan oil and run the nation. The bombing of Caracas and other regions, capture of President Nicolás Maduro, drew immediate street protest condemnation in from LA to NY. Cuba’s government calls it “state terrorism” and demanded an urgent global response.
The statement by the AFL-CIO (“We join the international labor community in condemning President Trump’s unconstitutional actions in Venezuela”) is reflective of labor’s opposition and a new opportunity to reach union members.
Confirmed speakers:
James Che- Current student at the Cuban Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM)
Ainsly Rivera- Let Cuba Play. Campaign for US visas for Cuban Olympic Athletes
William Camacaro- Co-founder, National Venezuela Solidarity Network
Cliff Smith-Business Manager Roofers & Waterproofers Local 36
Asia Medley- Just returned from Cuba on the Venceremos Brigade
Representative- African People's Socialist Party
Bita Amani- Public health professor, social epidemiologist
Jon Krampner- Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace
Hector Hueso- LA Hands-Off Cuba Committee
Mike Vera- Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific. S.CA Marine Division- Int’l Longshore Workers Union) (video msg)
Nathan Cuenca-Global Health Partners “Sutures for Cuba “medical aid campaign.
Rachel Bruhnke- Codepink
Hope Gonzalez- National Network on Cuba (NNOC)
Invited. Representative- Democratic Socialists of America
ENTERTAINMENT by Cuban violinist Dayren Santamaria. (Former member, Cuban symphony orchestra)
For More information: LA Hands-Off Cuba Committee. LA.US[email protected] 310.350.7515
Give the gift of Justice and Peace for the holidays!
This year, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace commemorates 25 years of advocacy for the disenfranchised and abused at home and around the world. In the aftermath of September 11th 2001, Los Angeles religious and secular leaders and activists came together to seek an alternative to the fearmongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation.
The main message of ICUJP is that “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.”
We have endured and spread our message through very trying times - five Presidents, four California Governors, and numerous crises and challenges that would shake the resolve of even the most devout and dedicated group of activists. But through it all, we have held true to our mission to be the voice for "the least of these", and to our determination to create the change we want to see in the world, no matter how daunting the opposition can seem.
ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for over twenty years through the generosity of individuals and organizations such as yourselves.
We would be honored if you can donate $25, $50, $100 (or more) to help us keep up with the increasing costs of securing live venues, renting audio and video equipment, printing valuable information for live events, and bringing our social media tools up to date.
We have several ways for you to support our work:
You can go to the ICUJP donation page on our website to make a one-time donation, or spread your donation out monthly.
You can also visit our ICUJP Threadless Store where you can make a purchase and wear your support for our organization, or give the gift of a tote bag, a mug, or a cute little onesie so your grandkids can be fashionable!
And, you can also go to our Eventbrite page to make a donation using PayPal, Google Wallet or Apple Wallet.
If you make a donation using any of these options, we will also send you a personalized ICUJP membership card for yourself or as a gift to print out:
ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for 25 years through the generosity of individuals like yourselves and organizations such as yours.
Thank you for your ongoing support – we are honoured to be standing shoulder to shoulder with you in the struggle for universal Justice and Peace.
The 2025 Beerman Prize for Social Justice in Action
Sunday, January 4, 2026
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Symposium
6:00 p.m.
Cocktail Reception
7:00 p.m.
Evening Program
Leo Baeck Temple
1300 N. Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049
- Carlos Alarcón – Immigrant rights & health equity
- Jonathan Butler – Faith leader & sociologist advancing health equity
- Nadav David – Organizer promoting collective safety & dignity
- Alana Hassanein – Educator & activist for education justice
- Mohsen Mahdawi – Palestinian-born activist & scholar
RESOURCES FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF A PEOPLE UNDER SEIGE
ICUJP Condemns the actions of the current administration to foment unrest in Southern California and other parts of the US. We hope you will find the following information useful in keeping involved and safe.
The first single from Iranian-born singer/composer Azam Ali's newest album Synesthesia is based on Hila Sedighi’s poem “Sabz Ast Dobare”. The poem is written in the context of Iran’s political and social struggles, while capturing the ache of a nation and its people.
“Once More, All Is Green” is a musical tribute to these themes of collective strength, renewal, rebirth, and awakening. It is a wish for the healing of society, of memory, and of individual wounds. It looks toward a future where light returns and people reclaim their freedom.
Lyric translation from Farsi:
I am of the soil, yet this soil is not of my flesh and soul,
It seems this nation of wrath is no longer my own.
Here, pen, honor, and law have all been broken,
And with a colorless flag, they have settled on our home
They stole the steps from beneath the people's feet,
Took away their vote, breath, and rights by deceit
The poem we once sang, they stole with a hundred lies
Then played it everywhere with a tune of disguise.
With axe in hand, they tore open this garden’s chest,
And birds of hope fled every branch and nest.
They stole the blessings from this grief-stricken land,
This ancient home now drowned in sorrow and torment
From its majestic history, only ruin remains,
A garden full of blight and disease is all that’s left.
From the tribe of Rostam, Sohrab, and Siavash,
Alas, just a hundred grieving men are left behind.
From the land of philosophy, poetry, and faith,
Now ignorance, wrath, denial, and neglect remain.
We cried patriotic songs of homeland, but they wouldn’t hear,
And now every free soul's voice hangs from the gallows in fear.
Yesterday, they handed rifles to every mirror,
And led hundreds of unblossomed flowers to their deadly fate.
Mortar and blood, endless nights and pain,
Yet tulips, jasmine, and cypress stood firm in resistance.
Those who remained behind the caravan of the brave,
Took the spoils of war from the ruins of the grave
The axe, unaware, has no home but the wild,
Though made of the tree, it is rootless
Though the garden is worn from autumn’s deep sorrow,
From the blood of our nation’s youth, tulips have bloomed
A hundred flowers bloom with the breath of spring's breeze,
Each kissed gently by the lips of the rain with ease.
The Phoenix shall rise, with the soul of a thousand years
And spread its wings from this cage of blood and flame
With snow, the earth will melt all hatred and pain,
And tomorrow, we’ll see the land green again.
It is green once again
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